Mailbag: Free speech no excuse for lack of civility

While I had to be out of town and missed Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s recent town hall gathering in Glendale, I am sadly not surprised about hearing of the incident with Peter Mursurlian (“Library boots videographer, July 28).

I witnessed a similar unnerving incident earlier this year, and hoped they would end after the June 8 special election. Fortunately, or unfortunately, this time it occurred before far more witnesses, with other entities and agencies forced to get involved over what hardly amounts to “journalism.”

As Bill O’Reilly has demonstrated — and Jon Stewart has easily ridiculed — “assault” videographers and their editing tools do almost nothing but make everyone look bad, while allowing someone somewhere to feel better over the whole mess via edited “vindication.”

But extreme “free speech” is no excuse for crossing the boundaries of civility, much less those of personal and public security. And it’s hardly a way to foster any real exchange of ideas or views.

Larry Nemecek

Burbank

Krekorian stays the course for local golfing

Thank you, Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian, for your recent letter to the editor regarding the Verdugo Hills Golf Course (“Still fighting to save Verdugo golf course,” July 28).

As an Assembly member, you were one of the first elected officials to come out in support of the Verdugo Hills Golf Course and your position has not faltered.

As you know, many of us in the community are concerned not only about the potential loss of the golf course, but the significant negative environmental impacts inherent in building a large housing development at the corner of Tujunga Canyon Boulevard/La Tuna Canyon Road/Honolulu Avenue.

That is why so many here in the foothills want to see the city of Los Angeles act on behalf of its constituents to protect and preserve our quality of life. From loss of recreation and aesthetics, to adding hundreds of additional vehicles to an already treacherous traffic corridor, the environmental impacts must not be ignored.

Your longtime support of the Verdugo Hills Golf Course is appreciated and we all look forward to continuing to work with you and City Council District 2 staff.

Karen Zimmerman

La Crescenta